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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, t 
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I UNITED STATES OP AMERICA.! 



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AN ACT 



CONSOLIDATE AND AMEND 



THE SEVERAL ACTS OF ASSEMBLY 

RELATIVE TO A 



GENERAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION 



TOGETHER WITB 



EXPLANATORY INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS 



FOR. CARRYING THE SAME INTO OPERATION : 



BY THOS. H. BURRO WES, ESQ., 

SUPER,i:^TENDENT. 



SECOND EDITION. 



HARRISBURG : 

EMANUEL GUYER, PRINTER. 




1837. 



Vacancies. 



Ordinary 

school tax. 



Additional 
school tax. 



any vacancy which may occur in their board by death, 
resignation or otherwise, until the next election, when 
such vacancy shall be filled by electing a person to sup- 
ply the same. 

Section 4. The school directors of every school 
district which has adopted the common school system, 
or which may hereafter adopt the same, shall annually, 
on or before the first Monday of May, authorize to be 
levied such an amount of tax on said district as they 
may think necessary for school purposes, not less than 
equal to, nor more than treble the amount which the 
district is entitled to receive out of the annual State 
appropriation ; and for the purpose of raising any addi- 
tional sum that may be deemed necessary, meetings 
shall be called of the taxable inhabitants of the town- 
ship or district, by the directors, on the first Tuesday of 
May, annually : notice of the time and place of holding 
such meeting being first given, by at least six adver- 
tisements, put up in the most public places in such town- 
ship or district, for the space of two weeks; a majority 
of whom shall decide by ballot, how much and what 
additional sum shall be raised for school purposes ; and 
any additional sum so authorized, shall be assessed and 
collected, paid over and distributed, in the same manner 
that is provided for by this act. 

Section 5. The assessor of every ward, township 
or borough, composing any school district as aforesaid, 
shall, upon demand, furuish the school directors of the 
district with a correct copy of the last adjusted valuation 
in the same for county purposes ; whereupon, the board 
of directors shall, on or before the first day of June, 
annually, proceed to levy and apportion the said tax, aa 
follows, viz : 

First. On all offices and posts of profit, professions, 
trades and occupations, and on all single freemen above 
the age of twenty-one years, who do not follow any 
occupation, not exceeding the amount assessed on the 
same for county purposes. 

Second. On personal property which was made taxa- 
ble by an act entitled " An act assessing a tax on per- 
sonal property, to be collected with the county rates 
and levies, for the use of the Commonwealth," passed 
the twenty-fifth day of March, one thousand eight hun- 
dred and thirty-one ; and the said property shall'continue 
to be assessed according to tlie provisions of said act; 
and upon all property now taxable for county purposes: 
Land, etc. tax. Provided. That said act taxing personal property, shall 



Apportion- 
ment of tax. 



Profession 
lax. 



Personal 
property tax 



not be so construed as to make widows' dower liable to Dower, 
the payment of taxes. 

Section 6. When the school tax is so levied and Duplicate of 
apportioned in any district, the secretary of the board of ^^s'^^*"'^"'- 
directors shall make out a correct duplicate of the same, 
and the president of the board shall issue his warrant, 
with the duplicate aforesaid, to the township or borough 
collector, or to some other suitable person residing with- 
in the district, to collect the said tax, and shall require 
from him sufficient security to insure the faithful dis- 
charge of his duty; and the board of directors of each 
district shall have the right at all times to make such 
abatement or exonerations for mistakes, indigent persons, Abatement-s, 
unsealed lands, &c., as to them shall appear just and 
reasonable; and the secretary of the board shall enter 
in a book or books, to be kept by him for that purpose, 
the names of all persons so abated or exonerated, to- 
gether with the reasons for such exonerations. 

Section 7. The said collector shall have like power Power of col- 
to enforce the payment of the school tax, as collectors •^'^'•«"". 
of county rates and levies have to enforce the payment 
of the same, and shall receive the like compensation for 
his services. From time to time, as the said tax is col- Time of set- 
lected, the collector of the district shall pay the amount tlemejit. 
over to the district treasurer, and shall settle up his 
duplicate on or before the time fixed upon in the warrant 
of the president: Provided, That if the tax so levied Tax on un- 
on unseated lands, shall not be voluntarily paid by the ^^^^^'^ ^^"^• 
owner or owners thereof, the district collector shall cer- 
tify the same to the county commissioners, and the said 
county commissioners shall enforce the collection thereof, 
in the same manner as the collection of the taxes on 
unseated lands is enforced when assessed for county 
purposes ; and when so collected, the same shall be 
paid to the district treasurer for the time being, by 
orders drawn by the said commissioners on the county 
treasurer. 

Section 8. The school directors of every school Duties of 
district which shall have adopted the common school school direct- 
system, shall perform the following duties, in addition to °'^^' 
those above specified : 

1. They shall, if they deem it expedient, divide the Sub-districis. 
district into sub-districls, and shall establish a sufficient 
number of common schools for the education of every No. of schools, 
individual above the age of four years, in the district. Age of pupils. 
who may apply, either in person or by his or her 
parents, guardian, or next friend, for admission and 



Time of keep- instruction, and shall keep the said schools open at least 
ing schools gj^ months in everj' year, if they shall have funds for 
that purpose. 

School houses 2. They shall cause suitable buildings to be erected, 
rented or hired for school houses, and supply the schools 
with fuel. 

Salaries of 3. They shall exercise a general supervision over the 

teachers. schools of their respective districts, and fix the amount 
of the salaries of the teachers. 

Orders for 4. They shall pay all necessary expenses of the 

money. schools, by orders drawn on the district treasurer, signed 

by the president, and countersigned by the secretary of 

the board. 

Visitation of 5, Each board of directors, by one or more of their 
schools. number, shall visit every school within their district, at 

least once in every month, and shall cause the result of 
said visit to be entered on the minutes of the board. 

Schools out of 6. Whenever it may be necessary or convenient to 
adjommg dis- establish one or more schools out of two or more adjoin- 
ing districts, the school directors of such adjoining dis- 
tricts may establish and regulate such schools, and the 
expense thereof shall be paid as may be agreed upon by 
the directors of skid adjoining districts. 

Directors re- 7. They shall annually, on or before the first Monday 
P°''^ d° Super- in January, make a report to the Superintendent of the 
common schools, setting forth the number and situation 
of the schools in their district, the character of the 
teachers, designating whether they are males or females, 
the number and sex of the scholars admitted during the 
year, the branches of study taught in each school, the 
number of months in the year during which each school 
shall have been kept open, the cost of school houses, 
either for building, renting or repairing, and all other 
expenses which may have been incurred in maintaining 
the schools of their districts, together with such other 
information as may be beneficial in forming a just esti- 
mate of the value of common schools. 

Directors and 8. No scliool director or treasurer shall receive any 

treasurer to pay or emolument whatever for his services as such: 
serve gratis, 1 1 i i n 1 , . , . , 

*= but lie shall be exempt, during the time he conlmues to 

perform the duties of liis office, from military duty, or 

from serving in any borough or township ofi^lce. 

Exemptions. 9. "When the school directors shall have divided the 

Committee in several districts into sub-districts for separate schools, 
suo-distncts. .V . /• I 1 1- • ^ • 

the voters oi each sub-district may meet, on notice 



being given for ten days at least, signed by not less than 
foiu' voters of said district, and choose a committee of 
three, of their number, to serve for one year, who shall 
have the appointment of the teacher for such sub- 
district. 

10. The directors of each school district shall have the In what school 
power to direct in which of the schools so established inP"P''^ *^° ^® 
pursuance of this act, the individuals in said district who ^^^ ', 
may be admitted, shall be instructed. ' 

11. In case the school directors deem it inexpedient Sub-districts, 
to diAqde their district into sub-districts, or in case the 

voters of any sub-district shall neglect or refuse to elect 
a committee, as provided for in the ninth article of this 
section, then the duties of said committee shall devolve 
on and be performed by the school directors. 

Section 9. The district treasurer shall receive all Treasurer- 
moneys belonging to the district, whether the same be '"^ '^'^'i^^* 
derived from appropriations by the Stale, district taxes, 
private donations, or otherwise, and shall pay out the 
same on orders drawn by the president and attested by 
the secretary of the board of directors, by order of the 
board, and his accounts shall be audited and adjusted as 
accounts of townships and boroughs are directed by law 
to be audited and acljusted. 

Section 10. The Secretary of the Commonwealth Superintend- 
shall be Superintendent of the Common Schools, and ent— duties. 
shall perform the following duties : 

1. Prepare suitable blank forms, with necessary in- To prepare 
structions, for making district reports, and for conduct- °™g^ ^^ '^^" 
ing the necessary proceedings under his jurisdiction ; 

and shall cause the same, together with all such informa- 
tion as he may deem necessary for the further im- 
provement of the schools, to be transmitted to the 
commissioners of the several counties, for distribution 
among the several boards of directors, at the same 
time and in the same manner as the pamphlet laws of 
this Commonwealth are transmitted, and at such other 
times and in such other manner as he may think expe- 
dient. 

2. Prepare and submit an annual report to the legis- To report to 
lature, containing a statement of the condition of the 'egis'ature. 
common schools throughout the Commonwealth, esti- 
mates and expenditures, plans for the improvement of 

the common school system, and all such matters rela- 
ting to his office of Superintendent and the concerns of 



common schools, as he shall deem it expedient to com- 
municate. 

To paj schcol 3. He shall sign all orders on the State Treasurer for 
Hionej. ^}^g payment of monies to the treasurers of the several 

school districts, but no order shall be drawn by him in 
favour of any district treasurer until he shall have been 
furnished with a certificate, signed by the president and 
attested by the secretary of the board of directors of the 
district, that a sum at least equal to the amount of the 
district's share of the annual State appropriation of two 
hundred thousand dollars^ has been levied on said dis- 
trict for school purposes. 

Toftttjecoa- 4. If any controversy should arise among the director* 
trorersies. of any district or adjoining districts, concerning the du- 
ties of their office, the distribution of the Stale appropri- 
ation, or the levying and collection of taxes, he is hereby 
authorized to settle and adjust the same, without cost to 
the parlies ; and all monies reasonably expended by him 
in this and other matters appertaining to the execution 
of his duty as Superintendent, shall, upon due proof, be 
allowed to him by the Auditor General, and be paid out 
of the State Treasury, 

To traiisniit to 5, Hq shall annually, in the month of February, Iraus- 
er°gtatement '^^'^ ^° ^^^^ commissioners of each county a statement of 
•f money due. the amount every district therein that has, and every dis- 
trict that has not adopted the common school system, 
may be entitled to receive out of the annual appropria- 
tion of two hundred thousand dollars, and the commis- 
sioners shall immediately cause such statement to be 
published three times in one or more newspapers printed 
PioTiio. in said county : Provided, That nothing in any section 

of this act shall be so construed as to deprive the district* 
which have not adopted the common school system, of 
tlieir due proportion of the common school fund, until 
after the first of November, one thousand eight hundred 
and thirty-eight. 

State appro- SECTION 11. One hundred thousand dollars, in addi- 
pr a lou. ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ hundred thousand dollars, payable by the 

Bank of the United States, both of which sums to be ac- 
counted and distributed as the State appropriation, are 
hereby appropriated out of the school fund, for the year 
one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, and a like 
sum annually tliereafter, which shall be apportioned 
among the several shool districts of thid Commonwealth 
and the city and county of Philadelphia, according to 
their number of taxable inhabitants, but shall only be 
subject io the drafts of the Superintendent of com.aioa 



9 

schools agreeably to the provisions of ihis act : Provided, Proviso as in 
That the balance of appropriations made under the act ^^*^"°'" " '°"- 
entitled " An act to establish a general system of educa- 
tion by common schools," passed the first day of April, 
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, and the sup- 
plement thereto, and the balance of the first appropriation 
of one hundred thousand doUai-s, wliich shall remain un- 
drawn on the first day of November, one thousand eight 
hundred and thirty-seven, and all subsequent balances, 
shall remain in the treasury and accumulate for the use 
of such district or districts entitled to the same, for any 
term not exceeding one year from and after the first day 
of November, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-se- 
ven, and all such undrawn balance remaining in the trea- 
sury on the first day of November, one thousand eight 
hundred and thirty eight, shall be repaid into the school 
fund; and in like manner the undrawn balance of subse- 
quent appropriations shall be repr:id into the said fund 
;aunually thereafter.* 



* The following resolution, declaratory of the mean- 
ing of the 11th section, was passed on the 2rih of March, 
1837. 

RESOLUTION 
Relative to undrawn balances in the School Fund. 

Whereas, it appears, from the report of the Superin- P^'eamble. 
tendent of common schools, that the undrawn balances 
of the .school fund, appropriated to districts, that have 
hitherto refused to accept of the general system of educa- 
tion, will, under the act passed on the thirteenth day of 
June, Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and thir- ^ 

ty-six, revert to the common school fund, during the pre- 
sent year: ^^nd ivhercas, it is known to have been the in- 
tention of the legislature, that the said undrawn balances 
should remain in the treasury and accumulate, for tlie 
use of such districts, respectively, until the first day of 
November, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight; 
therefore, 

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the Commomveulth of Pennsylvania, in Gene- 
ral Assembly met, That the balance of appropriation, 
made under the act, entiUed "An act to establish a gene- 
ral system of education by common schools," passed the 
first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- 
four, and the supplement thereto, and the balance of the 
llrst appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars, whicli 



assessment of 
tax 



10 

C Grtificate of Section. 12. Aa soon as the president of the board 
of directors, of any school district, shall have issued his 
warrant for the collection of a school tax, agreeably to the 
sixth section of this act, he shall certify the same, stating 
the amount of such tax, and, also the name of the district 
treasurer, to the Superintendent of common schools, who 
shall forthwith draw his warrant on the State Treasurer, 
for the whole amount such district is entitled to receive. 

Meetings to SECTION 13. The school directors of every school 
sys'^tem in n'on- district which shall not have adopted the common school 
accepting dis- system, shall annually call a meeting of the qualified ci- 
tricts. tizens of the district on the day of election for directors, 

to be held at the usual place of holding township, ward, 
or borough elections, by at least six advertisements, put 
up in the most public places of the district, for the space 
of two weeks : And the said meeting shall be organized 
between the hours of one and four o'clock, P. M. on the 
said day, by appointing a president, and the secretary of 
the board of directors, or in his absence some other mem- 
ber of the board, shall perform the duties of secretary to 
the meeting. When the meeting is so organized, the 
question of establishing the common school system in the 
district shall be decided by ballot, and the said president 
and secretary shall perform the duties of tellers to the 
meeting, and shall receive from every person residing 
within the district, qualified to vote at the general elec- 
tion, a written or printed ticket, containing the word 
"schools," or the words "no schools," and shall con- 
tinue without interruption or adjournment, until the elec- 
tors who shall come to the said election, shall have op- 
portunity to give in their respective votes ; and the said 
tellers shall count the votes, and if a majority shall contain 
the word " schools," the secretary shall certify the same 
to the board of directors of the district, Avho shall proceed 
to establish schools therein, agreeably to the provisions of 



sliall remain undrawn on the first day of November, one 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, and all subsequent 
balances shall remain in the treasury, and accumulate 
for the use of such district or districts, entitled to the 
same, for any term not exceeding one year from and after 
the first day of November, one thousand eight hundred 
and thirty-seven ; and all such undrawn balances, remain- 
ing in the treasury on the first day of November, one 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, shall be repaid 
into the school fund ; and in like manner the undrawn 
balances of subsequent appropriations shall be repaid into 
the said fund, annually thereafter. 



n: 

this act ; but if a mnjority shall contain the words " no 
schools, ""the secretary shall certify the same to the 
county commissioners of the proper county. And the 
school directors of every school district which may have 
adopted the common school system, may, if they deem 
it expedient, call a meeting of the qualified citizens of the Meeting's to 
district, on the first Tuesday of May, in the year one reject school 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, and on the same system in ac- 
day in every third year thereafter, to be held at the usual tricts." 
place of holding township, ward, or borough elections, 
at which time and place an election shall be held, to de- 
cide by ballot whether the common school system shall 
be continued or not. The notice for holding said meet- 
ings, and the time for and manner of holding said elec- 
tions, to be in conformity with the preceding part of this 
section ; and should there be a majority of the taxable 
inhabitants of said district in favour of" no schools," the 
secretary shall certify the same to the county commis- 
sioners of the proper county, and the operation of the 
common school system shall be suspended in said dis- 
trict, until such time as a majority of the citizens shall 
otherwise decide. 



Section. 14. The school directors, of every school Power of di- 
district in which the common school system has been "^*^^""J°g|° 
adopted, or shall hereafter be adopted, shall have power 
to purchase and hold real and personal property, which 
may be necessary for the establishment and support of 
said schools, and the same to sell, alien and dispose of, 
whenever it shall be no longer required for the uses afore- 
said ; and in all cases where real estate is held by trus- 
tees for the general use of the neighborhood, as a scliool 
house or its appendages, it shall be lawful for the said 
trustees, the survivor or survivors of them, to convey the 
same to the' school directors aforsaid, and from thence- 
forth the said board shall hold the said property for the 
same term and for the same uses for which it was granted 
to said trustees. 

Section. 15. School directors elected under the pro- Elections, 

visions of former acts, shall severally hold their offices ^^PF.Tf'!'''"^ 
T • 1 r 1-11 1 ^ I II and taxes un- 

during the term for which they were elected, and all ap- der former 

propriations authorized by former acts, whether by the acts valid. 

State or county, and all taxes authorized to be raised for 

school purposes, shall be collected as they would have 

been collected if this act had not been passed. 

Section 16. The county commissioners of every Education of 
county, within this Commonwealth, except the county ^^^ P^o"" '". 
of Philadelphia, when levying a tax for county purposes, districts, 
shall estimate the amount which will be required to 



12 



Proviso. 



fliidowed 
schools. 



educate the poor gratis, in the several districts of their 
county, which shall have rejected the common school 
system, and when an estimate is so made, they shall 
levy the amount on said districts, and collect the same 
in the usual manner, and shall continue to provide for 
the education of the poor gratis therein, agreeably to the 
provisions of an act entitled, " An act to provide for the 
education of the poor gratis," passed the fourth day of 
April, one thousand eight hundred and nine, or such spe- 
cial acts of Assembly as may be in force in any of the 
counties where tLe;e may be districts rejecting the pro- 
visions of this act: Provided, That the whole expense 
thereby incurred, shall be paid out of the amount levied 
on said districts as aforesaid. 

Si;cTiON 17. Where a scliool is or shall hereafter be 
endowed, by bequest or otherwise, the board of directors 
of the district in which such school is located, are here- 
by authorized to allow such school to remain under the 
immediate direction of the regularly appointed trustees 
of the same, and to appropriate so much of the district 
school fund to said schools, as they may think just and 
reasonable : Provided, That such schools shall be gene- 
rally conducted in conformity with the common school 
system of this Commonwealth. 

Section 18. The act entitled " An act to provide for 
a general S5'stem of education by common schools," and 
also the supplement thereto, passed fifteenth day of April, 
Anno Domini, eighteen hundred and thirty-five, are 
hereby repealed : Provided, That every thing heretofore 
done in pursuance of said acts, shall be helil valid. 

Schools ill the Section 19. If the corporation of the city of Lancas- 
ciiy of Lancai- ter shall at anytime adopt the common school system, 
agreeably to the provisions of this act, then the act to 
provide for the education of children at the public expense, 
in the city and incorporated boroughs of the county of 
Lancaster, passed the first day of April, one thousand 
eight hundred and twenty-two, and tbe supplement 
thereto, passed the first day of April, one thousand eiglit 
hundred and twenty-three, shall from the time of tiie 
adoption of the common school system, m said city, be 
inoperative, null and void. 

Certain <li..- Skction 20. In all cases, where, under "An act to 

trie's allowed • i r i p \ ,- \ 

to accept be- Provide lor a general system oi education by common 

fore IM Au- schools," and also the supplement thereto, passed the 

gubt, 1836. fifteenth day of April, Anno Domini, one thousand eiglu 

hundred and thirty-five, die directors of any district may 

have met and decided to accept of the law, and liave ap- 



ProYiso. 



Repenting 
section. 



Proviso. 



13 

pointed a delegate to attend the county convention, for 
ihe purpose of accepting and carrying into effect the pro- 
visions of said law; but if from any cause, said delegate 
has failed to attend said convention, said township shall 
be entitled to all the benefits and provisions thereof, on 
the same terms and conditions as those who have literally 
complied, are entitled : Provided, Said delegate shall, on Proviso, 
or before the first day of August next, record the vote 
of said township in the affirmative, with the clerk of the 
convention. 

Section 21. The school year mentioned in this act, Termin-.ition 
and in an act entided " An act to provide for a general of school year, 
system of education by common schools," and the sup- 
plement thereto, passed the fifteenth day of April, one 
thousand eight hundred and thirty-five, shall be taken 
and understood to end on the first Monday of June, to 
wit : the school year of one thousand eight hundred and 
thirty-seven, will end on the first Monday of June of 
that year, and so of all other years. 

Section 22. Immediately after the passage of this Publication of 
act, the Superintendent of common schools shall cause ^*^"^' 
circular letters, with a printed copy of this act attached 
thereto, to be addressed to the county commissioners of 
every county ; and it shall be the duty of the commis- 
si«piers aforesaid, to cause the same to be published in 
one, and not more than three newspapers in the county, 
for three successive weeks, and the expense thereof shall 
be defrayed out of the county treasury, and the said su- 
perintendent shall also cause this act to be printed in q j^ ^ ^ 
pamphlet form, and shall forward to the county eommis-sent to each 
sioners of each county, a number of copies thereof, equal ''""ector. 
to the number of school directors in their county, to be 
distributed among the several boards of directors. 

Section 23. The act and its supplements now in ope- Effect of the 
ration in the chy and county of Philadelphia, entitled ^"^j "H^^^'^''^"' 
** An act to provide for the education of children at the 
public expense, within the city and county of Philadel- 
phia," are declared to be concurrent with the provisions 
of this act, and are in no wise to be considered as altered, 
amended or repealed, except so far, that the said city and 
county shall be entitled to receive their due proportion 
and share of the annual state appropriation of two hun- 
dred thousand dollars : Provided, That the controllers jgt. Proviso. 
of the public schools for the city and county of Philadel- 
phia, be and they hereby are authorized, whenever they 
shall think proper, to establish one central high school, 
for the full education of such pupils of the public schools 
of the first school district, as may possess the requisite 



14 

qualifications ; and that the moneys expended in the esta- 
blishment and support of the said high school, shall be 
provided and paid in the same manner as is now, or shall 
hereafter be directed by law, with respect to the other 
2nd. proviso. P"blic schools, of the said district, ^nd provided fur- 
ther. That so much of the tenth section of the act of 
March the third, A. D, one thousand eight hundred and 
eighteen, as renders the exclusive use of the Lancasterian 
system, in the first school district, obligatory upon the 
controllers and directors, and all such provisions, (if any) 
in the said act, and the several supplements thereto, as 
limit the benefits of the said public schools, to the chil- 
dren of indigent parents, and so much of any act, as is 
hereby altered or supplied, be and the same are hereby 
repealed ; and in said public schools all children over 
four vears of age shall be admitted. 

NER. MIDDLESWARTH, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
THOS. S. CUNNINGHAM, 

Speaker of the Senate. 
Approved— June 13, A. D. 1836. 

JOS: RITNER. 



EXPLANATORY 



REPEALING EFFECT OF THIS LAW. 



This act will, after the completion of the acts and things mentioned 
in the fiftee.^th section, amount to a total repeal of the acts of 1 834 
and 1835. 



GENERAL RULE FOR CONSTRUCTION. 



Being intended for the public good, the Common School law is, in 
all cases of reasonable doubt, to receive a liberal construction in fa- 
vour of the system. 



DISTRICTS. 

As to what shall compose a school district, see section 1. 

Each and every ward of a borough, as well as of a city, (except 
Philadelphia city and county,) having a separate assessor of county 
rates and levies, shall form a district. But if there be only one as- 
sessor of county rates and levies for a whole borough, such borough, 
though composed of more wards than one, shall form only one dis- 
trict. — Sect. 1. 

SUB-DISTRICTS. 

It is not obligatory on directors to form their district into sub-dis- 
tricts. — Section 8, articles 1st and 11th. 

If a district be sub-divided, the only power to be exercised by the 
committee of each sub-district, is that of choosing the teacher. The 
salary of the teacher, and all other matters relating to a sub-district, 
are to be regulated by the directors of the proper district, as if no sub- 
division had taken place. — Section 8, article 9. 

If a district be sub-divided, it should be done in such a manner as 
to have, as nearly as possible, an equal number of taxables in each 
sub-division. 



16 



ELECTION OF mRECTORS. 



In fownsliips wliich form districts, directors are (o be elected ni 
the time and place of electing supervisors and constables ; and in bo- 
roughs which form districts, at the time and place of electing borough 
oflicers. But where a borough is connected with a township in the 
formation of a district, the directors of such district are to be elected 
at the time and place of electing the supervisors and constable of such 
township. — Sections 1 and 2. 

ELECTIOX IN NEW DISTKICTS. 

In case of a new district formed by the division of a township, or 
the separation of a borough from a township, in the assessment of 
county rates and levies, six directors shall be elected in the first in- 
stance, in such new district. But if there be any of the old board of 
directors chosen before the division, residing in the new district, they 
shall act as directors therein till the next election, and shall fill up all 
vacancies in the board of the new district, by appoiny^jent, till the 
next election. — Section 2d and 3d. 

FILLING VACANCIES. 

All vacancies in a board of directors are to be filled by appointment 
by the remaining directors, till next election.— Section 5. 

If a district neglect to elect directors at the proper time, such ne- 
glect ainoimts to a vacancy, which is to be filled by appointment, tiU 
next election. 

In case of the formation of a new district, every director residing" 
within such district, shall cease to be a director of the old district, out 
of which it was formed ; and the vacancy tluis created, shall be fille(! 
by appointment, till next election. A tie in electing directors, is t.o 
be treated as a vacancy. 

POWER OF DIRECTORS TO HOLD TROPERTY, &C. 

As to the power of directors to receive, purchase, hold and dispose 
of personal and real estate, for the use of their districts, see section 14. 

Directors are not authorized to take the land or other property of 
individuals for building school houses, &c. without their consent. — 
For form of deed and lease see appendix. 

TREASURER. 

For election of treasurer, see section 3. 
For form of bond of treasurer, see Appendix. 
For duties of treasurer, see sections 7, 8 and 9. 
A director may be treasurer. 



17 



ORDINARY SCHOOL TAX. 



The following are the steps to be taken by directors, for the purpose 
of levying and apportioning the tax necessary to conduct the ordinary 
operations of the system. •. * 

I. They shall, on or before the first Monday of May, annually, 
meet and fix the amount required for the year which is to commence 
after the first Monday of June, then next ensuing, which shall in no 
case be less than equal to, nor more than treble the amount the district 
may be entitled to receive out of the $200,000, State appropriation. 

II. They shall, in the next place, fix arate of tax upon " all offices 
and posts of profit, professions, trades and occupations, and upon 
all single freemen, above the age of twenty-one years, who do not 
follow any occupation, not exceeding the amount assessed on them 
for county purposes." — (Sect. 5.} If the proceeds of this tax be more 
than equal to the desired amount, they shall proportionably reduce 
the different items of it, so as to retain the necessary sum, and shall 
cause the same to be collected. But, if unequal — 

III. They shall proceed to apportion the residue required upon per- 
sonal property, under the act of 25th xMarch, 1S31, and upon " all 
property now taxable for county purposes," (Sect. 5,) in such man- 
ner and proportions as may be just and right. 

IV. The secretaryof the board shall then proceed to assess the tax 
thus apportioned on the individual taxable inhabitants of the district, 
and shall make out a corrected duplicate of the same, which, with 
the warrant of the president for the collection thereof, shall be deli- 
vered to the proper collector. — (Sect. 6.) 

For form of warrant and bond of collector, see appendix. 

ADDITIONAL TAX. 

If directors shall deem it necessary to raise a tax for extraordinary 
purposes, such as building or purchasing school houses, increasing 
the operations of the system beyond the expense of the previous 
year, &c. " additional" to that already authorized by them, they 
shall proceed as directed by the 4th section. In that case they shall 
delay the apportionment and assessment of the ordinary tax, till it be 
ascertained whether or not an additional tax shall be authorized. If 
it be authorized, then they shall add the amount thereof to the amount 
of the ordinary tax, and shall apportion and assess the aggregate a- 
mount as prescribed by section 5. 

To prevent confusion, it is recommended, in case an additional tax 
is deemed necessary, that a specified sum be in all cases named by 
the directors, for or against which the taxable inhabitants may vote; 
such sum to be named on the tickets of those in favour of tlie addi- 
tional tax ; and the words " no additional tax" on the tickets of those 
opposed to it. 

CERTIFICATE OF ASSESSMENT OF TAt. 

It is earnestly requested that the form of certificate of the asafess- 
me^t of school tax, to be sent to the superintendent, contained in tlie 
appendix, shall be adopted, in all cases. 

2 



18 

EXONERATIONS. 

As to directors' power to make exonerations, see section 6. 

* ■ UNSEATED LANDS. 

Wlien it becomes necessary for a collector to certify to the com-- 
missioners the non-payment of tax on unseated land, under the- 
seventh section, the form of certificate contained in the appendix may 
be used. 

A collector may issue such certificate without having first actually 
demanded the tax from the owners of unseated lands, if they reside- 
out of his district. The tax is to be " voluniirily paid." 

POWER OF COLLECTORS TO ENTORCE PAYMENT. 

Collectors of school tax, shall have like power to enforce payment, 
as collectors of county rates- and levies have, viz: 

«' If any person shall neglect or refuse to make payment of the 
amouut due by him for such tax, within thirty days from the time of 
demand so made, it shall be the duty of the collector aforesaid, to 
levy such amount by distress and' sale of the goods and chattels of 
such delinquent, giving ten days' public notice of such sale, by 
written or printed advertisements ;■ and im case goods and chattels 
sufficient to satisfy the same, with the costs, cannot be found, such 
collector shall be authorized to take the body of such delinquent, and 
convey him to the jail of the proper county, there to remain until 
the amount of such tax, together with the costs, shall be paid, or- 
secured to be paid, or until he shall be otherwise discharged by due 
course of law." — Sect. 21, act 15th April, 1834, relating to county, 
and township rates and levies. 

COMPENSATION OF COLLECTORS. 

They shall receive like compensation as collectors of county rates 
and levies, viz : 

" Every collector shall be entitled to retain, at the final settlement 
of his duplicate, the sum of five per cent, on all monies by him col 
lected, which shall be allowed to him by the treasurer of the proper 
county or township, as the case may be, and shall be in full compen-- 
sationfor his services as collector." — Sect. 52, act of April 15, 1834, 
relating to county and township rates and levies. 

SCHOOL HOUSES. 

The first step in.the establishment of the Common School system, 
is, to provide a sufficient number of commodious and judiciously 
located school houses. It is the duty of the directors to accomplish 
this. But, inasmuch as the expense of building, p-arclvasing or hiring 
a sufficient number of the proper kind^ will, iu most cases, be great, 



19 

it is recommended to the directors to submit the question of an addi- 
tional tax for that purpose, to the citizens of their district, at as early 
a date as possible. If such tax be authorized, this desirable object 
will be accomplished without dissatisfaction^ and will, in the end, be 
found the truest economy. If not, the directors will have done their 
duty, and cannot afterwards be liable to blame for any inconvenience 
or insufficiency of school housed. 

It is recommendfedi that all new school houses shall be built accord- 
ing to a uniform plan. A communication on this subject, containing 
the plan and description of a Common School house, prepared by 
persons competent to the task, will be transmitted to the districts 
during- the next summer, (1837.) 

TEACHERS. 

By far the mo&t important part of the duty of directors, is that of: 
procuring, competent teachers. 

The general powers conferred on directors, " to establish a suffi-- 
cient number of Common Schools for the education of every indi- 
vidual above the age of four years, in the district, who may apply,'* 
&c. (Sect.. 8, art. 1,) "to exercise a general supervision over the 
schools,"' and " to fix the salaries of teachers," (article 3d, of the 
same section,) necessarily confer the following powers : 

r. To establish a certain standard of qualifications to be possessed! 
by teachers, in the difl^'erent branches4o be taught. 

IT. To examine, as a board, or by committee, all persons desirous- 
of being employed as teachers, and to grant to such persons certifi- 
eates, setting forth the brandies they may be found qualified to teaclu 

IIL To employ a sufficient number of teachers, found' qualified, 
aS' above, to teach in the scliools of the district, at a certain compen- 
sation, eitherby the week, month, or quarter, or at a certain, sum per. 
pupil taught. 

IV. To dismiss teachers for improper conduct, such as neglect, 
ignorance, cruelly, immorality, &c. 

FEMALE teachers;. 

It has been found beneficial in other States, in which the Common 
School system is in operation, to keep open, during: the summer;, 
ichools for small children, taught by females. Such pupils are found! 
to make greater progress under female than male teachers ; and can; 
with more comfort, especially in the country, attend school in summer 
than in winter. In winter, also, the schools kept by males wili 
generally be so croAvded by larger pupils, wlio do not generally 
attend during the summer, that very young children will most proba- 
bly be neglected. This practice will cause a saving to the districts, 
inasmuch as the services of female can be obtained for less thaa those 
of male teachers. 



20 

CONTRACTS WITH TEACHERS. 

Contracts with teachers should in all cases be in writing, and 
should be made between the teacher and the president of the proper 
board of directors, and his successor in oflicc. Every such contract 
should reserve to the board of directors, power to dismiss the teacher 
at the end of a month, or quarter, as tlie case may be, for improper 
conduct; and should expressly state that the actual possession of the 
school house in which he is to teach, shall remain in the board of 
directors. 

For form of contract, see Appendix. 

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO TEACHERS. 

The practice of permitting Common School teachers to receive a 
remuneration from parents of pupils, in addition to that paid out of 
xhe Common School fund, should, under no circumstances, be coun- 
tenanced. Wherever such practice prevails, the Common School 
mo7iey may continue to be expended, but the Common School system 
will soon cease to exist. No matter how just or how impartial the 
teacher may really be, he will lose the coniidence of such as do not 
pay the additional sum ; and if there be no coniidence in the teacher, 
the system will not long retain public regpect. 

DISTRICT REGULATIONS. 

The directors of each district have power to make regulations for 
■flie establishment and government of schools within their jurisdiction, 
and from time to time to alter and amend them. The proper execu- 
tion of this power will save much trouble, and promote the uniformity 
and usefulness of their schools. If there be a newspaper in or near 
the district, the publication of the regulations therein will be the 
most efTectual means of making them generally known. If not, 
copies should be posted uj) in each school house, and other public 
places of the district. 

ADMISSION OF PUPILS. 

Directors may designate into which scliool of the district, pupils 
shall be admitted. They may also appoint certain days, upon which, 
alone, persons applying shall enter the schools. Days of entry 
should not occur more frequently than once in each month, or quarter. 
Unless this regulation be made, and strictly adhered to, it will be 
impossible to form the classes, and conduct the business of the schools 
in an orderly manner. 

DISMISSAL OF PUPILS. 

Directors ihave power to dismiss pupils from Common Schools, for 
improper conduct. 

They may also confer this power upon teachers; but in this casf 
the dismissed should not become absolute imtil' the matter has bee« 



21 

submitted to and confirmed by the board of directors, or a committee 
of them. Neither should expulsion, except in very extreme cases, 
or for repeated oflences, be permanent. 

NUMBER OF PUPILS IN SCHOOL. 

The proper directors have the power, as a necessary consequence 
from their general powers-, to fix. the number of pupils that shall be 
taught at one time in each school. This power, which is also im- 
pliedly given by article 10th, section 8, should be exerted in all cases, 
because the evil intended to he remedied by it, will inevitably pro- 
duce ruin to the school in which it is allowed to prevail. The 
average number taught by one person in other States, is about fifty. 

BRANCHES OF STUDY. 

Though the school law authorizes the teaching of every branch of 
learning, in Common Schools, which directors may deem expedient, 
yet it is most earnestly recommended, until the funds of the system 
justify the establishment of secondary schools for the higher branches, 
to confine them to such as are of general use and necessity. A 
common business education is comprised in the knowledge of read- 
ing, grammar, geography, history, composition, writing, arithmetic, 
and book-keeping. For the present, no deviation from this course 
fihould take place. 

REGULAR ATTEN'OANCE OF- PUPILS. 

Nothing so much deranges the business of a school, and retards 
the scholars' progress,, as irregular attendance at school. Every 
exertion should be made to prevent this evil. If, after having desig- 
nated the scliool into which each pupil shall be admitted, and the 
whole number to be taught in each school, the directors adopt a 
regulation, that every pupil absenting himself from his proper school 
a certain number of times, without suflicient cause, of which the 
teacher shall be judge, shall lose his right of attending such school 
until the commencement of another quarter, (his place in the mean 
time to be filled by another, if any apply,) it is presumed that the 
injurious efiect of this evil will be obviated. Either a more regular 
attendance will be the result, or the presence of pupils whose irregu- 
lar attendance only retards others without benefitting themselves, will 
be prevented. 

AGE OF PUPILS. 

All persons over the age of four years, who apply according to 
law, are to be- admitted into Common Schools, at such times and 
into such schools as the proper directors may designate. , Persona 
over tw-enty-oneyears are admissible. 



22 

GERMAN SCHOOXS. 

In neighborhoods in which the citizens shall require it, German 
schools may be established and supported under the Common School 
system, in the same manner as English schools are established antj 
supported ; or teachers may be employed, capable of giving instruc- 
tion in both languages. 

ENDOWED SCHOOLS. 

An endowed school is one possessing a permanent provision to- 
wards the support of the school, either in money, lands, lots or 
.houses. So that the provision be permanent, it matters not how 
;small the amount or value is. On the other hand, no mere tempo- 
rary provision, however large — such as subscriptions for the support 
•of the school for half a year, or a year — will give it ithe .character of 
an endowed school. 

Directors are not compelled to appropriate any of the Common 
School funds of the district to the support of endowed schools there- 
in, unless they shall be satisfied that such schools will be conducted 
by the trustees, in general conformity with the Common School sys- 
tem of the Commonwealth. 

In case of appropriation to an endowed school, directors shall have 
power to visit and examine such school, in the same manner as other 
Common Schools. — Section 17. 

ADJOINING DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 

A school or schools may be formed out of two or more adjoining 
districts, though such districts be situated in different counties; but 
all such adjoining districts must be accepting districts. 

Children from non-accepting districts cannot be received into the 
Common Schools of accepting districts. 

No two or more adjoining districts can be wholly united into one, 
by agreement of their respective directors. — See sect. 8, art. 6. 

The expenses of those schools may either be paid by the districts 
which compose them, in proportion to the number (0f scholars sent 
from each, or of taxables accommodated. 

■SCHOOLS FOR COLORED CHILDREN. 

Directors have poAver to establish separate schools for colored 
children. In cases in which the amount of colored potpulation war- 

jants it, the establishment of such schools should be e^ffecled. 

VISITATION OF SCHOOLS. 

It is the duty of each board of directors, by one or more of their 
number, to visit every school within their district, at least once in 
every month. — Sec. 8, art. 5. 

This duty should be faithlully performed ; but, at the same time, 
care should be taken not unduly to interfere with the discipline of 



23 

the school, as established by its teacher, if he be a competent one. 
Every man should know his own business best;— and if to him 
whose admitted competence for a trust, first placed him in its dis- 
charge, be denied the just right of executing it in the manner best 
suited to his own views of propriety and responsibility, from him 
will soon be withdrawn that wish to excel, and that spirit to achieve, 
Avhich are indispensable to success. 

By these remarks, it is not intended to produce the entire indepen- 
dence and irresponsibility Of the teacher; but his exemption from 
captious or hasty interference is extremely desirable. While direct- 
ors, at their periodical visits, see the business of the school conducted 
according to some known system, and in an orderly manner, they 
should, for the present, be satisfied, and should give to the teacher, 
and his plan of teaching, a fair trial. If, at the end of a sufhcien: 
■lime, it should not produce the desired results, then, but not before, 
•both the teacher and his plan should be changed. 

SCHOOL YEAR. 

Though the school year, by the twenty-first section of this act,^ 
terminates on the first Monday in June annually, the operations of 
the succeeding 5^ear are really commenced before that time. Direct- 
ors are elected in March. Meetings of the people to compel negative 
directors to accept the system, are held also in March. Tax is voted, 
• assessed, and may be partly collected in May ; and yet this is all to 
be taken as part of the school operations of the year which succeeds 
the first Monday in June following. No part of the State appropri- 
ation can, however, be paid to districts, till after that time; nor should 
(State appropriation, or district tax, be applied to the expenditure of 
•any but the proper year, commencing after that day. 

DISTRIBUTION aF SCHOOL M0NE\'. 

School money, whether derived from tax or State appropriation, is 
'to be distributed amongst the different schools in a district, in such 
•manner as to the directors shall seem best calculated to promote 
justice, and the good of the system. If possible, the schools should 
be so located, as that each shall accommodate an equal number of 
pupils, in which case an equal sum should be given to each. If tliis 
cannot be effected, either the number of tasables in the bounds of 
each school, or the number of children taught, maybe assumed as 
the ratio of distribution, as shall best suit the circumstances of the 
case. 

WANNER OP PAYING SCHOOL 'EXPENSES. 

All school expenses are to be paid by orders drawn on the district 
treasurer, signed by the president, and countersigned 'by the secretary 
'of the board. — Art. 4, sect. 8. 

A form of the order will be found in the appendix. 



24 

SETTLEMENT OF TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS. 

The treasurer's accounts shall be audited and adjusted in the same 
manner as township and borough accounts are, by law, audited and 
adjusted, viz : 

" Section 102. The auditors of each township, any two of whom 
duly convened, shall be a quorum, shall meet annually on the second 
Monday of April, and oftenervif necessary,, and shall audit, settle and 
yrdjust the accounts of the supervisors and, treasurer of the township, 
■and of such other township oihcers as may by law be referred to them. 

" Section 103. The report of such township auditors shall be 
filed with the town clerk, if there be one; and if there be no town 
clerk, it shall remain with the senior auditor, for the inspection of all 
persons concerned. 

" Section 104. It shall be lawful for the township, or the officer 
accounting, to appeal from such settlement to the court of Common 
Pleas of the same county, within thirty days after such settlement; 
■whereupon, the court may direct an issue to determine disputed facts, 
if necessary : Provided, That no appeal by such officer shall be re- 
ceived, unless the appellant shall enter into. a recognitzanee, with two 
sufficient sureties, conditioned to-pvosecute the appeal .with effect, and 
to pay all costs accruing thereupon.. 

"Section 105. The auditors of each- township shall have the 
same power and authority to obtain the attendance, before them, of 
parties and witnesses, and the production of books and papers, and to 
administer oaths and affirmations, as are by law given to county au- 
ditors, 

" Section 106, Tlie auditors of every township shall respective- 
ly receive the sum of one dollar for each day necessarily employed 
in the duties of their office, which shall be paid by the township 
treasurer, out of the township funds." — See act of the fifteenth April, 
eighteen hundred, and thirty-four, relating to counties and townships 
and county and township officers. 

REPORT TO SUPERINTENDENT. 

Blank forms for'making district reports, will, annually, before the 
first of December, be transmitted by tlie Superintendent to each dis- 
trict in the State. It is earnesdy requested. that. lliese shall be filled 
up and returned immediately after the first day of January, next ensu- 
ing, so as to enable him to make his report to .the Legislature, within 
the month of January. 

SETTLEMENT OF CONTROVERSIES. 

"If any controversies should arise among the directors of any dis- 
trict, or adjoining districts, concerning the duties of' their office, the 
distribution of the State appropriation, or the levying andicoUecfioniof 
taxes, he (the general Superintendent,) is hereby authorized to settle 
and adjust thesAme, without cost to the parties.." — Art;.4, Sect.. 10. 



25 

This section gives large powers to the Superintendent, which he 
feels unwilling to exercise, except in cases of urgent necessity. It 
will at all times be better that differences be settled by compromise at 
home, than that the authority of the Superintendent be appealed to. 
it should be remembered, that in cases appealed to the Superintend- 
■ €nt, his decision must be guided by some general and uniform rule, 
Applicable to the whole State, but which may not, in all respects, suit 
Khe particular circumstances of each case. Directors and all others 
Jrould also constantly bear in mind, that the Common School law is 
atended wholly for the common good. It should, therefore, in all 
^ses, receive a liberal construction in favour of the system. 
)ccasions, however, will arise, in which an amicable adjustment 
call^not be effected at home. In such instances, it is earnestly request- 
ed i|iat a statement of the controversy be' drawn up by the secretary 
©f tl|B proper board of directors, and certified to be correct by all the 
partitts. Without such a document, the Superintendent will be unable 
to m2K.e a decision which shall receive the acquiescence of all. 



DUTY OF DIRECTORS IN NON-ACCEPTING DISTRICTS. 

This% fully described in the first part of section 13. 

If, at 111 election held under this section, the tickets containing the 
word "skiools," be the greater number, the directors of the- district 
are therein compelled to proceed to the establishment of the Common 
School sy%em therein, evem though they tliemselves be opposed to it. 
In such Cc|e, however, schools are not to be actually opened till after 
the first Monday in June following, though all necessary preliminary 
steps, sue I as the levying and assessing of tax, the procuring of 
teachers arl school houses, may be taken befbre that time. 



MANNER OF REJECTING THE SYSTEM. 



The tim |and manner of abrogating the Common School system, 
•in acceptini districts, are fully described- in the latter part of the 13th 
section. 1 

Though me words of the law have left it discretionary with the di- 
rectors, \yl]|ther they will or will not submit the question of the con- 
tinuance of|:he system to the people, it v/ould, on the whole, be bet- 
ter to do it ii all cases. If well conducted; the system will not fear 
such an ordfevl, and if so ill managed during three years, as not to give 
satisfaction 1) the majority, it should be abolished. 



|ld laws for the education of the poor. 

These arelto continue in force in the eases and manner pointed out 
in the 13th- clid' 13th sections. 



All letters. 



address of letters. 



sl&c. relating to the system, should be addressed "to the 
Superintendlnt of Common Schools," and should have the words 
" school sy*em," endorsed upon them, in large letters. 



^6 

HINTS TO TEACHERS. 

Early youth is the proper season for the inculcation of sound mo- 
rals, and of the duties which man owes to God and to his fellow man. 
These vitally important objects are most essentially promoted by the 
custom of using the Bible as a school book, which so generally pre- 
vails in this State, and which ought to be cherished. No code^of 
moral law has ever been presented to the mind of man, so pure, so 
just, or so applicable to all conditions and ages, as that of the New 
Testament. 

The lessons of sound morality thus imbibed from the source of 
divine truth, may appear at the time to make little impression, but 
rarely fail to restrain vicious propensities, stimulate virtuous senti- 
ments, purify the character and regulate the conduct of the pupil in 
subsequent life. Like the voice of a departed parent, heard but ne- 
glected in the summer of life, the words of the School Testament 
will return to the mind when the heart is softened by adversity, and 
the value of.all earthly things is tested by the approach of death. 



Do not strive to be the inventor of a new system of education. 
Thousands of them have been proclaimed to the world, and are for- 
gotten. And the reason is plain. Education is the gradual cultiva- 
tion and improvement of the mind, by exercising it upon proper sub- 
jects, and by storing it with desirable information. This must, of 
necessity, be the result of time and 'labor. As well might you expect 
■to qualify, .in a day, the son of pampered indolence for the hardy 
employment of the farmer or mechanic, as to force ignorance into the 
i'ulness of knowledge without time and hard study. 

But, though comparatively little can be done to abridge the labor 
of the learner, much may be accomplished to lighten the teacher's 
*k3k, and to enable him to impart information with equal ease to an 
mcreased number. 

District and county associations of teachers, and lyceums, are admi- 
rable aids to persons engaged in the instruction of youth. By all 
means, promote their formation, and regriirly attend their meetings. 

Endeavor, as much as possible, to produce uniformity in the books 
used in your school. It matters mot so much whetlier the books used 
))e the very best extant, as that they be all of the same kind in the 
liands of the same class of learners. 



Arrange your pupils into classes, according to thoir progress in 
learning. A class of six may be heard recite their lessons in half the 
time that the same number reciting singly would occupy. Members 
• of classes act under a spirit of honorable emulation, which 'he who 
repeats his lesson separately rarely feels. 



Do not forget that the first object of the Common School system, 
is to teach reading, wriling and arithmetic. The higher arts :and 



27 

sciences are most proper and useful in their place, but the teacher 
who neglects an A B C scholar, to teach astronomy or geology, 
should be dismissed from a Common School. 



Instead of wasting your own time, and your pupil's paper in set- 
ting copies for writing, procure a sufficient number of copperplate 
• copies, cut apart, and lixed upon strong slips of pasteboard. Tho 
'letters of these will be better formed than any which can ordinaril;^ 
;be made with the pen. 



Endeavor to teach a plain round business handwriting ; and avoid 
as you regard beautiful and useful penmanship, .new and short-cu 
■systems of writing. 

Let nothing find favor in your sight but merit, and you will soon 
behold the number Of the meritorious increase. Remember that the 
scholar's merit is the master's credit. 



But above all, whatever you do, do it methodically. An inferior 
system of action adhered to, is better than .the best system in the 
world neglected. 



APPEI^BIX. 



TORM OFBOND OF DISTRICT TREASURER. 

County, ss. 
Know all men by these presents, that we 
and , are held and firmly bound to y 

President of the JBoard of School Directors, of district, 

■in the county aforesaid, and to his successors in office, for the use 
of the district aforesaid, in the sum of , (here insert double 

the amount of the sum \vhich will probably come into the hands of 
the treasurer in one year for school purposes,) lawful money, to 
be paid to the said or his successors, to the which 

■payment, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, jointly and 
severally, our heirs, executors and administrators, and every of 
them by these presents. Sealed with our seals, dated the 
d:ty of .in the year of our Lord 18 



28 

Whereas, the said has been duly appointed 

treasurer of the said school district, for and during the term of one 
year from the date hereof; Now the condition of this obligation is 
such, that if the said , shall, and do well and truly exe- 

cute and perform the duties of said office, according to law, and shall, 
at the end of the term aforesaid, faithfully account for the school 
money he shall have received during the term aforesaid, and shall 
pay over into the hands of his successor ■ in office, such balance as 
may then remain in his possession, this obligation to be void, or else 
to remain in full force and virtue. 

Sealed and delivered > [l. sJ] 

in presence of. us. 5 



fel-^ 



FORM OF BOND OF DISTRICT COLLECTOR. 

Know all men by. these presents, that we and 

are held and firmly bound to , Presi- 

dent of the Board of School Directors of district, in 

the county aforesaid, and to his successors in office,.for the use of 
the district aforesaid, in the sum of , (here insert 

double the amount of the duplicate,) lawful money, to be paid to 
the said or his successors ; to the which payment, 

well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, jointly and severally, 
our heirs, executors and administrators, and every of them, by 
these presents. Sealed with our seals, dated the day of 

in the year of our lord, 18 

Whereas, the said has been duly appointed col- 

lector for the school year which will terminate on the first Monday 
of .Tune, 18 , of the school tax, of district aforesaith 

Now the condition of this obligation is such, that if the said 

shall and do well and truly execute and perform 
.the duties of said office, according to law, and shall faithfully ac- 
count for, and pay into the hands of the proper treasurer of said 
district, the money which shall come into, his hands as collector 
aforesaid, and shall setde up his duplicate on or before the 

day of next, according to law, then this obligatioji 

to be void, or else to be and remain in full force and virtue. 

Sealed and delivered in ) [l. s.^ 

the presence of us. 5 f^- s.] 

[L. S.] 



^^ 



29 

ri FORM OF WARRANT TO COLLECTOR OF SCHOOL TAX. 

County, 

District, ss. 
To of in said county. 

These are to authorize and require you, to demand and receive of 
and from every person in the annexed duplicate named, the sum 
wherewith sqch persons stand charged, and you are to collect and 
pay over all such monies as you may have received to 
treasurer of the said school district, and his successor in office, on 
or before the day of next ; at which time 

abatement or allowance for mistakes or indigent persons, will be 
made, and within months from the date hereof, you shall 

pay into the hands of the said treasurer, the whole amount of the 
taxes charged and assessed in the annexed duplicate, without fur- 
ther delay, except such sum as the directors may in their discretion 
exonerate you from. 

And if any person shall neglect or refuse to make payment within 
thirty days from the time of such demand, it shall and may be law- 
ful to and for you, and you are hereby commanded, to levy the said 
tax by distress and sale of the goods and chatties of such delinquent, 
giving ten days public notice of such sale, by written or printed ad- 
vertisements, and rendering the overplus (if any there be, after such 
sale,) to the owner: And in case goods and chatties cannot be found 
sufficient to satisfy the said tax, with costs, then you are to take the 
body of every such delinquent, and convey him to the jail of 
county, (except females and minors, and persons found by inquisi- 
tion to be of unsound minds, and persons too sick to be taken with 
safety,) and deliver him to the Sheriff, or keeper thereof, who is here- 
by required to receive and keep him in safe custody, until the said 
tax, with costs, be paid, or he be otherwise discharged- by due course 
of law. Hereof fail not. 

Given under my hand and seal at the day of 

A. D. 

^. CL. S.] 
President of the Board of Directors ot District. 



FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ASSESSMENT OF SCHOOL TAX. 

[Here insert the amount of tax 
assessed, in figures. 3 

[Date.] 
To the Superintendent of Common Schools. 

Sir: — I do hereby certify, that a school tax, QHiount- 
itig to dollars, has been regularly levied and assess- 

ed for the school year upon District 

county ; that a warrant for the collection thereof has been delivered 



30 

to the district collector, according to law ; and that the aforesaid sum, 
is, at least, equal to the amount of this district's share of annual State 
ippropriation. 

I do further testify that (of Post Office, county 

of ,) is lawfully appointed treasurer of this school district. 

President. 
Secretary.. 



iORirOF CERTIFICATE OF NOX-PAYMEXT OF TAX OX- UNSEATED LAXD. 

To Ike Commissioners of the County of 

Gextlemex' — I do hereby certify., that the following' school tax 
on unseated land within the district of , was regularly assessed 

and set forth, in the duplicate of school tax for the year , 

delivered to me for collection by the president of the board of direc- 
tors thereof, and that the samehas not been voluntarily paid to me : 
you are therefore required to cause the same to be collected and paid 
over agreeably to the 7tH section of the act entitled " An act to conso- 
lidate and amend the several acts relative to a general system of edu- 
cation by Common SchoolSj" passed the 13th day of' June, 1836. 

Dols-. Cts. 



Viz: upon land of A. B* 
upon land, of C 15;. 



[Date.] 



Collector of School Tax for 
the Bistict of 



FORM OF ORCEUOX BISTPJCT TREASURER. 

[Date.] 
To the Treasurer of ^ 

District county, 5 

Sir— 

Pay to or order. dollars , 

being (one quarter's salary due him as teacher, up to , or on 

account of salary, or for fuel furnished to school house, or for 

rent, of school iiouse, &c,, as the case may be,) lor which this will 
be your sufficient voucher, on settlement of your accounts, 
By order of the Board. 
Witness, 

Presidbxt. 
Secretary. 



31 

FORM OF DEE0 OF LAND TO SCHOOL DIRECTORS. 

Know all men by these presents,, that we , of 

, for and in consideration of dollars, to us paid at the- 

ensealing hereof, by , Directors of Common Schools, 

of township, district in the county of , the receipt 

of which is hereby acknowledged, do grant, bargain, sell, assm-e and 
convey to the said Directors aforesaid, their successors and assio-ns, 
a piece of ground, situate in said township of , described as 

follows, viz : 

Beginmng , containing ; being part of the 

premises conveyed by to the grantors, by deed dated^ [Here 

insert the necessary recitals.] together with all its rights, members, 
and appurtenences ; to have and to hold the said piece of ground, 
and appurtenances, to the said , Directors aforesaid,, 

their successors and assigns forever, for the establishment and support 
of Common Schools in s-aid' district, according to law.- And , 

the said , do covenant' with the said Directors,, 

tbeir successors and assigns, that (he, she or they, is or- are, as the 
case may be,) lawfully seized, in fee of the afore granted premises ;, 
that they are free of all incumbrances ; that (he or they has or have) 
a good right to sell and convey the same to the said Directors, and 
will warrant and defend the same premises to the said Directors, 
their successors and assigns,, forever, against the lawful claims and 
demands of all persons, [This constitutes a- general loarranty. If 
a special warranty be desired, let the following words be added :1 
claiming, by, from: or under (him, her or them, or any of them, as 
the- case may be.) 

In ivitness, ^-"c. [l. s.] 

Sealed and delivered in > [l. s.] 

our presence, 5. [l. s.j 

Receipt for the purchase money,, and' acknoAvled^ement before a 
Justice, to be in the usual form. 



FORM OF LEASE OF SCHOOL HOUSE AND LOT TO SCHOOL DIRECTORS. 

Know all men by these presents, that I, , of 

, for the rent herein mentioned, do hereby agree to let and 
rent to , Directors of Common Schools, 

for township, district in county, and their successors, 

[Here insert the words " and assigns," if it is agreed to confer upon 
directors, power to assign the lease.] a house or building in said 
township, with about of ground, adjoining lands of 



32 

, for the establishment and support of Common Schools in said 
district, according to law, for the term of , from the 

(\\y of , at the annual rent of ; to be paid in 

payments. The premises to be surrendered at the expiration of said 
term, in good order — casualties excepted. 

In witness, &,c. [l. s.] 

Sealed and delivered in > 
presence of us_, 5 



FORM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN SCHOOL DIRECTORS AND TEACHER. 

It is agreed by and between , Teacher, and , 

President of the Board of Directors of Common Schools, of 
district, in county, that said shall, under the super- 

\ ision and exclusive direction of the Board of Directors of said dis- 
trict, and their successors, teach in the school house, or building, at 
or near , for the term of , at and for the compensation 

of , to be paid ; reserving" the right for the Board of 

Directors, for the time being, to dismiss said , at the end 

of any month [or quarter^ of said term. The actual possession of the 
said school house and building and premises, before mentioned, to 
remain and be considered by all parties as remaining and being at all 
times in the said Board of 13irectors, and their successors. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, on 
the day of A. D. 

IVitness, [l. s] 

[l. s.] 



ifiii'ilfiiiiiiii - ;j^iiitii«. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS • 



021 490 342 8 




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